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Az’zae l

I watched the sway of Elle’s hips as she disappeared into the bedroom.

“You haven’t claimed her yet?” Tika hissed.

“Humans do things slower than dragons.” Although I suspected the slow pace might kill me. I struggled more and more to let her out of my sight, and even now my gaze stayed fastened on the closed door between us.

“Well, what am I supposed to do with this?” She shoved one of her packages at me. Likely a nice welcome-to-the-family gift.

I shoved it back at her. “I don’t care, but you aren’t giving it to her.” Knowing Udar would try to flirt with her already had me on edge. My claws grew, and my wings twitched.

“Ugh, courting dragons are so unreasonable.”

“See how well you do when it’s your turn.”

“Whatever. Where’s my gift?”

We exchanged packages in a flurry of ripped paper. A luxury purse for her. A pair of diamond cuff links for me.

“Fine. You win,” Tika said, examining the purse’s stitching. “What do you want? ”

With my attention once more fixed on the shut bedroom door, I said, “If Udar tries to get too cozy with Elle, promise to intervene.” If I attacked him, it might upset Elle. Despite their popular action movies, I’d learned that humans had far less patience for casual violence than dragons.

“Oh, come on, you don’t really think he’ll try anything, do you?”

Of course I did, but Tika could only see the older brother who spoiled and indulged her. “You’ll understand when you find someone you want to mate.”

“I doubt it. I think everyone exaggerates,” Tika huffed. “I suppose I have to go hide this, then?” She waved the package with Elle’s name on it.

“Yes.” I bared my teeth, thinking about the extravagant gift Tika had picked out for my future mate.

“Az?” came from the closed bedroom door. “Can you help me with something?”

“I’ll be there as soon as I get rid of Tika,” I called.

“It’s only been a few minutes.” Tika rolled her eyes. “She won’t be ready for a while.”

“I don’t care. Get out.” I flicked a wing at her, and she, along with her gift, disappeared with an annoyed huff.

Before entering the bedroom, I dug through my bag and found a small bundle of papers. A gift for Elle, yes, but also a reward for myself for getting through this inevitable disaster of a dinner. I wanted something good waiting at the end, so I set the papers in a place where I could see them, as a reminder. Then I grabbed my other gift for Elle and sprinted to the bedroom door.

When I opened it, Elle had her back to me, her dress open all the way to the base of her spine. “Can you zip me up, please? ”

Carefully, I did as she asked, covering all that silky skin. She looked so perfect, generous breasts draped in gold silk, more silk clinging to her waist and hips and thighs. I’d bought her this dress shortly before she’d sucked the soul out of my body in a dressing room and let every human in the store know that she belonged to me.

My cocks rose to attention at the memory. A quick three or four orgasms, and she’d walk into this stupid party looking thoroughly sated. No one would question my claim then.

I crowded her back against the bed. “You look like mine. I want to devour you.”

Her heartbeat fluttered at the base of her throat. “Your sister is in the other room.”

“She just left.”

Her breaths turned shallow, her eyes dipped across my body, and that was all the permission I needed to tumble her back onto the bed.

“You’ll ruin my dress.” But her words were breathy, her legs already parting for me.

“I’ll be careful,” I promised as I hiked up her skirt.

“Aren’t we going to be late?”

“We’re already late,” I said.

She was already wet for me, her pussy sucking greedily at my fingers as I thrust two inside.

Her fingers dug into my shoulders, and I pulled down the top of her dress to nuzzle and lick and nip her soft skin. I’d touched her so many times by now that I could bring her to orgasm within minutes.

“That’s it, Elle. You’re so tight and hot for me, Arum .”

Once she’d soaked my hand, making those little needy mewls in the back of her throat, I pulled my dicks out of my pants, lined my aching lower cock up with her entrance, and thrust home, pressing my upper cock down on her clit and labia, forcing another moan of pleasure from her throat.

I wanted to take her in both holes again. I did it as often as I could, but this was supposed to be a quick reminder of what I could give her, not a drawn-out, mind-melting fuck that left both of us too weak to stand.

“My pretty little human. Is this what you need?”

“Yeeesss.” She drew out the word, all glassy-eyed, liquid desire now, writhing against me while I took her, moaning my name until it became one continuous noise.

Her head thrashed back and forth, exposing her bare neck. My fangs ached with the need to sink into her delicate flesh. I bit my own lips against the urge.

When she came again, I couldn’t hold back anymore, pounding into her until I emptied myself. I had to bite the pillow next to her to keep myself from biting her.

Quickly, I pulled my lower cock out, shoved my upper cock inside her fluttering pussy, and came again, barely keeping my teeth out of her neck.

When I caught my breath, I slid out of her. Seeing her limp and satiated on the bed, triumph flooded me.

She’d spend the evening with pink cheeks, a satisfied smile, and my scent all over her.

I tucked myself back into my pants before my dicks could get any more ideas.

When she caught her own breath and sat upright in bed, she frowned, and my stomach dropped. “I look like a mess. I should change.”

“We’ll just straighten you up a bit.” I helped her to her feet .

Before she could argue with me, I pulled out the jewelry box I’d forgotten in my haste to get inside her. “I have something for you.”

She shot me a look that spiked anxiety in my gut. I was afraid she wouldn’t like it, but when she opened the box, she gasped.

It was a choker chain, with a string of garnets decorating the choker and a longer chain hanging off the tip. There were more garnets spaced along the dangling chain. They would dangle between her breasts, brushing the fitted silk that covered her body, rich red sparkling against the vibrant gold.

She fingered the chain and matching earrings, her eyes wide and shiny. My cocks twitched with interest. Yeah, I would have paid double to watch her make that face again.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She leaned forward in an unspoken request, and I clasped the necklace around her delicate neck, then arranged it and the dangling jewels so they’d show to best effect against her vibrant dress and fair skin.

I’d picked up the set yesterday and had a long conversation with the jeweler. Maybe I should have waited to give it to her, but after seeing how she looked? No regrets.

She popped the earrings in herself. I bit back a groan, seeing her decked out in my gifts. I wanted to ravish her again, but I didn’t want to make too many demands on her tender pussy.

When we were both put back together, I placed a hand on the small of her back and led her to the lounge.

My parents must have redecorated since the last time I’d visited. They’d added a few couches and chairs fit for humans in addition to the array of furniture meant to accommodate many different species. The smaller furniture looked puny in the massive space, but then, all the rooms in the house were proportioned to accommodate a dragon in either form.

A bar and a bartender occupied one end of the room. My dad, with whom I shared my fiery red coloring, and my mom, whose scales were a brilliant blue, both held appropriately-sized glasses filled with clear liquid in their hands. Both were middle-aged, fine lines bracketing their eyes and their scales a little dull, but they were dressed to the nines in their best, most expensive clothes.

Udar lounged in a corner with his own drink.

My mom didn’t even bother to wait for an introduction before she started in on me. “You’re two hours late, Az’zael. That’s a new record.”

Oh, great. We were starting off with the Why aren’t you ever on time? Can’t you take anything seriously? lecture. A classic. Receiving it in front of Elle ignited a burn in my gut I hadn’t experienced in years.

She glanced over at Elle, her eyes lingering on her dress, shoes, hair, and makeup. I stood a little straighter. They’d find nothing wanting with her .

At least I’d never have to hear, When are you going to settle down with a nice mate? again. Assuming Elle didn’t disappear after tonight.

“Something came up at the last minute,” I said.

Elle’s fingers on my arm tightened.

Dad snorted. “If you can’t even leave your city for a few days after claiming it almost a year ago, how can you expect to take care of a mate?” He, too, looked Elle over, his gaze lingering on her unmarked neck.

Elle stiffened.

My grip on her waist tightened, in case she came to her senses and ran off in the middle of drinks. “Kilinis is well taken care of. ”

“Actually, we were late because Az was helping me with a last-minute family emergency. Nothing to do with Kilinis,” Elle said.

Thank fuck Elle gave me a chance to change the subject from my many failings. I took a deep breath and nudged her forward. “Mom. Dad. This is Elle.”

“I’m Yvinth,” my dad said. “And this is my mate, Rasonu.”

Drinks for us appeared at a side table while they all shook hands.

“Tikalass and Udar have told us all about you.” My mom gave Elle a wide, welcoming smile, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Elle returned her smile. “Az is wonderful. I’m so glad I met him.”

My parents exchanged looks. “Yes, of course, dear,” Mom said.

Udar sauntered over. “So glad you brought your human, Az.” His smile was sharp and aggressive.

“Yes, your father and I were so glad you found a bold human,” my mom said. “Tikalass said you got between her and Az’zael when they were arguing. Few humans would do that.”

A muscle ticked in Udar’s jaw, his attention bouncing between me and Elle, calculations running behind his dark copper eyes.

Dad glanced at her unmarked neck again and shot me a pointed look.

I gave him a tight smile.

“I didn’t like how she was speaking to Az.” Elle met my eyes, as if seeking approval.

I grinned back at her. She’d displayed great courage with that move. Any dragon seeking a human mate would envy that kind of fire.

“Good. Our son needs someone to light a fire under him,” Dad said.

I looped an arm around her waist and gritted my teeth against saying something childishly defensive. She nestled into my chest.

Udar’s eyes dragged from Elle’s face to her hand on my forearm, and his expression darkened .

Both my parents then glanced yet again from her unmarked neck to me.

Amazing. A new lecture, this one delivered almost entirely in judgmental looks. I’d call it: Why haven’t you claimed your human mate yet?

“Mom. Dad. Stop,” I said, afraid that all their pointed looks would upset Elle. “Humans do things slower than us.”

Dad sniffed. “How much time can they possibly need?”

“Movi and Jorge courted for three months,” I said.

“You’re richer than Movi,” Mom said.

Elle flushed bright red. “Three months is really short for humans. And Az and I have only been seeing each other for two weeks.” She glanced at my mom and added, “The fact that Az is so sensitive and understanding of our cultural differences is one of the things I like most about him.”

Both my parents’ mouths drew in.

Udar barked a laugh. “A sensitive dragon? And will he just roll right over when another dragon makes a demand?”

“If I were that weak, I’d never have claimed Kilinis.” Or held it against Udar’s attempts to sneak in.

“Yes, we’re very proud of Az’zael,” Dad said.

Anything else I might have said emptied out of my head, my claws tightening on Elle’s hip. I had never heard either one of my parents say something so nice, and I didn’t know what to do with the praise.

Smoke puffed out of Udar’s nose.

Elle ran her fingers over her necklace. “He’s done a lot to be proud of.”

I nuzzled into her hair, pleased all over again by her defense and the garnet earrings in her ears .

She glanced between all the dragon faces, licked her lips, and said, “I was so intrigued when Az told me his parents were the dragons who had claimed Sutton. It was the first city to get claimed in modern times, right?”

My dad preened, his wings snapping back. “Yes, they’d been struggling, and Rasonu and I had just written an extensive research paper on claiming cities as an ancient practice. We’ve always been a bit more sociable than other dragons, and the idea appealed. When we met with Sutton’s city council, they agreed.” He gave a wry grin. “We made a few modifications from the old ways, for modern concerns, of course. No need to roast invaders anymore.”

“You also didn’t let Sutton keep their city council,” I pointed out. After Diego had mentioned it, I’d done a little digging into the specifics of my parents’ governing practices. What I’d found had reminded me why I’d never asked for their advice when I claimed Kilinis.

My mom chimed in. “Honestly, Az’zael, they were running their city into the ground. They spent so much money on public safety and infrastructure, but their intellectual development was pitiful. It was better that we took control.”

“It took some time, and we had to be very tough on some of the whinier humans, but Sutton’s thriving now,” Dad said.

Udar glanced at me. “Sometimes it’s best to get it over with quickly and deal with the consequences, right?”

Elle wrinkled her nose. “Weren’t there a bunch of protests the first few years you took over?”

“And a lot of residents left,” I said. If I’d tried my parents’ smash-and-burn method, Udar’s power grabs might have had more of a chance of working.

Udar glared at me. I flicked my wingtips at him.

My mom sniffed. “We don’t need quitters in our city anyway. ”

Elle patted my chest. “I think it’s great that Az is so willing to get outside input. It’s the mark of a true leader to recognize that they can’t know everything. He’s instituted a lot of new programs and initiatives.”

“Well, he certainly doesn’t know everything,” said Udar.

Elle gaped at my brother. I ran a thumb over her hip.

Everyone else took a sip of their drink.

I sighed. “Would you two like your gifts?” I always won our exchanges. It was a surefire way to change the subject to something that wouldn’t make me look like an idiot.

Udar and I exchanged a glance around our parents’ backs. The same one we always exchanged at family gatherings. It said, I didn’t get you anything. Same for you? Good.

Gifts were for people we liked.

Dad waved a hand. One of the servants appeared with an elaborately wrapped package. I handed each of my parents a wrapped package as well. Elle glued herself to my side, and I prayed my parents didn’t discover some new way to humiliate me.

I tore open the packaging to reveal a thick, leather-bound book—quality binding, but the paper itself was nothing special. Then I read the title. Understanding the Dewey Decimal System, Its Theory and Practice.

My insides turned hollow, and I wondered if it was possible to drop dead on the lounge floor.

Though I’d probably get a lecture about that, too.

Carefully, I rewrapped the gift and set it on the nearest table, shoulders hunched.

“You lost on purpose,” I said. I’d searched high and low for the beautifully bound and illustrated manuscripts they had handed off to their staff. My gifts to them contained both time and money .

Beside me, Elle fixed them with a glare that would do any dragon proud.

They’d given me a book for first-year knowledge-sniffers, available for a few bucks at any bookstore. The leather binding was a small addition. They hadn’t even tried to win.

“Niemrin is a smart boy, but you can’t leave the universities and libraries entirely to him,” said Dad. “And you wouldn’t have bought that book on your own.”

“We play to our strengths.” My voice was as tight as my grip on Elle’s waist. I wanted to sink into the floor or spread my wings and fly off. I wanted to turn back time and ensure Elle never witnessed my own parents humiliate me.

Mom shrugged. “Read it. You might learn something new.”

“Udar just acquired a lovely first edition of The Great Gatsby . He wouldn’t have managed that if he’d rested on his laurels,” Dad said.

Udar smirked.

Oh. Udar. Perfect fucking Udar, acquiring first editions left and right.

“Az does an excellent job as city manager, but it’s a full-time job.” Elle’s voice was forceful, her mouth a thin line.

God, if I thought she’d accept, I’d give her my mating mark right now.

“Oh? How much time do you spend at City Hall?” Dad asked me.

Tika sashayed into the room, saving us from further awkwardness. “I hope you aren’t spending your first meeting with Az’s future mate interrogating him . Elle is way more interesting.”

Thank fuck. I shot Tika a look. She should have been here fifteen minutes ago. She shrugged and pointed to her intricate eye makeup. Of course. She’d had to touch it up, and since our parents never criticized her as heavily as they did me, it hadn’t occurred to her that they’d do something as embarrassing as lose a gift exchange on purpose.

Mom turned her attention back to Elle. “Yes, Elle. Tell us about yourself. What did you study in college?”

She tensed in my hold. “English.”

“Are you a teacher?” Dad gave me an approving look, and my stomach dropped. She wasn’t a teacher, and why didn’t I already know what she’d studied in college? I should have taken better advantage of our question exchange and asked her some of my own.

Udar’s wings straightened, and he cocked his head to one side. He knew Elle still had a job. Did he know what it was? He was probably trying to figure out how to use my ignorance to steal Elle.

“No. I went for a few years, but, uh.” Her eyes darted around the room before landing on me with an apologetic grimace. “I couldn’t afford to keep going, so I never got a degree.”

Shocking five dragons into silence was difficult, but Elle had just done it with a single sentence.

“Couldn’t afford to?” Mom asked.

“You just left ?” Tikalass said.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” I would have paid for her to go back. Just because I’d done badly in school didn’t mean I’d deprive Elle of the opportunity.

She nibbled her lower lip and looked away. “It never came up.”

“Of course not. School was never Az’zael’s strong suit,” Udar cut in.

Elle’s nostrils flared. “Az has been wonderfully attentive to anything and everything I might need. Schooling never crossed my mind.”

“Udar is right.” The words burned. “I should have asked about your education.” My jaw clenched.

A maid stepped into the room, letting my parents know that dinner was ready and cutting off further conversation.

“We’ll discuss this later,” I murmured to Elle, my hand still tight on her waist as I led her into the ballroom.

“I’m sorry about my family. They’re…” nagging, rude assholes. “A lot,” I finished. “I only visit a few times a year.”